Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Week 7 Big Ten Power Rankings

1. #7 Ohio State (5-1, 3-0): It's about time the Buckeyes claimed the top spot. After Iowa struggled at home with Michigan and the Bucks put a 31-13 pounding on previously undefeated Wisconsin, the Bucks are looking like the cream of the crop.

2. #11 Iowa (6-0, 2-0): The only remaining undefeated team in the Big Ten, the Hawkeyes squeaked by Michigan 30-28, setting up a showdown with 5-1 Wisconsin in Madison this weekend.

3. #14 Penn State (5-1, 1-1): Joe Pa's team impressed this week, winning 52-3. Wow, you say? They were playing Eastern Illinois. We'll learn more about the Lions when they host Minnesota on national TV this week.

4-6. Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin: I really have no idea who's the best of these three, and they're listed in no order, just alphabetically. If I had to pick on of these teams I think I'd go with Wisconsin, but it's all up in the air. While Michigan plays D1-AA Delaware State this week, we'll find out a lot about both the Gophers and the Badgers: Minnesota travels to Happy Valley to take on Penn State while Wisconsin hosts undefeated Iowa.

7. Michigan State (3-3, 2-1): One week after saving their season against Michigan, the Spartans lead 17-0 at the half at Illinois and cruised to a 24-14 victory from there. Next up for Sparty? Northwestern in a huge game for both teams.

8. Northwestern (4-2, 1-1): After a rather unimpressive 16-6 win over win less Miami Ohio the Wildcats travel to Spartan Stadium this week in a big game for both teams. NU will try to avenge last year's painful 37-21 loss at home to the Spartans.

9. Purdue (1-5, 0-2): After losing four straight games by an average of four points per game the Boilers got a break this week: they lost by fifteen. Purdue needs to find a way to right the ship and avoid their sixth straight loss on Saturday.

10. Indiana (3-3, 0-2): After starting 3-0, everything has gone downhill for the underdog Hoosiers. They hit rock bottom on Saturday with a 47-7 loss at Virginia. The only good news right now for Indiana: at least they're not Illinois.

11. Illinois (1-4, 0-3): With their only win coming against Illinois State, the Illini have not won a real game this year. After benching their starting QB only to have to put him back in after the backup threw a pick six in the fourth quarter to make the game 24-0 MSU, Illinois is in shambles. At least this week they have a small chance of winning: they play Indiana.